Process for producing Mg-containing no-Al anionic clay

ABSTRACT

This patent describes economical and environment-friendly processes for the synthesis of Mg-containing non-Al anionic clays. It involves (hydro)thermally reacting a slurry comprising a Mg metals source with a trivalent metals source to directly obtain Mg-containing non-Al anionic clay, the Mg sources being an oxide, hydroxide or a carbonate. There is no necessity to wash or filter the product. It can be spray dried directly to form microspheres or can be extruded to form shaped bodies. The product can be combined with other ingredients in the manufacture of catalysts, absorbents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, detergents, and other commodity products that contain anionic clays.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/148,245, filed Aug. 11, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention involves the preparation of Mg-containing non-Al anionic clays.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Anionic clays have a crystal structure which consists of positively charged layers built up of specific combinations of metal hydroxides between which there are anions and water molecules. Hydrotalcite is an example of a naturally occurring anionic clay, in which carbonate is the predominant anion present. Meixnerite is an anionic clay wherein OH⁻ is the predominant anion present.

In hydrotalcite-like anionic clays the brucite-like main layers are built up of octahedra alternating with interlayers in which water molecules and anions, more particularly carbonate ions, are distributed. The interlayers contain anions such as NO₃ ⁻, OH, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, SiO₃ ²⁻, CrO₄ ²⁻, BO₃ ²⁻, MnO₄ ⁻, HGaO₃ ²⁻, HVO₄ ²⁻, ClO₄ ⁻, BO₃ ²⁻, pillaring anions such as V₁₀O₂₈ ⁻⁶ and MO₇O₂₄ ⁶⁻, monocarboxylates such as acetate, dicarboxylates such as oxalate, alkyl sulfonates such as laurylsulfonate.

It should be noted that a variety of terms is used to describe the material which is referred to in this patent as an anionic clay. Hydrotalcite-like and layered double hydroxide are interchangeably used by those skilled in the art. In this patent application we refer to the materials as anionic clays, comprising within that term hydrotalcite-like and layered double hydroxide materials.

The most commonly described anionic clays are Mg-Al anionic clays. In the prior art the emphasis is usually on this type of anionic clays, whereas the Mg-containing non-Al anionic clays are only mentioned in passing, even though the chemistry of their preparation and their properties can be very different and unpredictable. Mg—Al anionic clays are suitable for many applications in the absorbent and catalysts field, but Mg-containing non-Al anionic clays have specific applications in these fields.

The preparation of anionic clays has been described in many prior art publications. Two major reviews of anionic clay chemistry were published in which the synthesis methods available for anionic clay synthesis have been summarized, F. Cavani et al “Hydrotalcite-type anionic clays: Preparation, Properties and Applications,” Catalysis Today”, 11 (1991) Elsevier Science Publishers B. V. Amsterdam. J. P. Besse and others “Anionic clays: trends in pillaring chemistry, its synthesis and microporous solids”(1992), 2, 108, editors: M. I. Occelli, H. E. Robson, Van Nostrand Reinhold, N.Y.

In these reviews basically two types of anionic clay preparation are described. The most conventional method is co-precipitation (in Besse this method is called the salt-base method) of a soluble divalent metal salt and a soluble trivalent metal salt, optionally followed by hydrothermal treatment or aging to increase the crystallite size. The second method is the salt-oxide method in which a divalent metal oxide is reacted at atmospheric pressure with a soluble trivalent metal salt, followed by aging under atmospheric pressure. This method has only been described for the use of ZnO and CuO in combination with soluble trivalent metal salts.

For work on anionic clays, reference is given to the following articles:

Helv. Chim. Acta, 25, 106-137 and 555-569 (1942)

J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 42, no. 3,121 (1959)

Chemistry Letters (Japan), 843 (1973)

Clays and Clay Minerals, 23, 369 (1975)

Clays and Clay Minerals, 28, 50 (1980)

Clays and Clay Minerals, 34, 507 (1996)

Materials Chemistry and Physics, 14, 569 (1986).

In addition there is an extensive amount of patent literature on the use of anionic clays and processes for their preparation.

European Patent Application 0 536 879 describes a method for introducing pH-dependent anions into the clay. The clay is prepared by the addition of a solution of Al(NO₃)₃ and Mg(NO₃)₂ to a basic solution containing borate anions. The product is then filtered, washed repeatedly with water, and dried overnight. Additionally mixtures of Zn/Mg are used.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,796,792 by Miyata et al. entitled “Composite Metal Hydroxides” a range of materials is prepared into which an extensive range of cations is incorporated, including Sc, La, Th, In, etc. In the examples given solutions of the divalent and trivalent cations are prepared and mixed with base to cause co-precipitation. The resulting products are filtered, washed with water, and dried at 80° C. Example 1 refers to Mg and Sb and Example 3 to Mg and Bi. Other examples are given, and in each case soluble salts are used to make solutions prior to precipitation of the anionic clay at high pH.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,523 by Miyata entitled “Composite Metal Hydroxides” also a large number of preparation examples is outlined. The underlying chemistry, however, is again based on the co-precipitation of soluble salts followed by washing and drying. It is important to emphasize that washing is a necessary part of such preparations, because to create a basic environment for co-precipitation of the metal ions a basic solution is needed and this is provided by NaOH/Na₂CO₃ solutions. Residual sodium, for example, can have a significant deleterious effect on the subsequent performance of the product as a catalyst or oxide support.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3879525 (Miyata) very similar procedures are again described.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,814 to Miyata et al. a method for making fibrous hydrotalcites is described. Such materials differ in structure from the normal plate-like morphology. The synthesis again involves soluble salts. For example, an aqueous solution of a mixture of MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ is prepared and suitably aged. From this a needle-like product Mg₂(OH)₃Cl.4H₂O precipitates. A separate solution of sodium aluminate is then reacted in an autoclave with the solid Mg₂(OH)₃Cl.4H₂O and the product is again filtered, washed with water, and dried.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,026 to Reichle, in which heat-treated anionic clays are described as catalysts for aldol condensation reactions, again use is made of magnesium and aluminum nitrate salt solutions. Such solutions being added to a second solution of NaOH and Na₂CO₃. After precipitation the slurry is filtered and washed twice with distilled water before drying at 125° C.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,156 to Misra the preparation of a novel absorbent based on mixing activated alumina and hydrotalcite is described. The hydrotalcite is made by reacting activated MgO (prepared by activating a magnesium compound such as magnesium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide) with aqueous solutions containing aluminate, carbonate and hydroxyl ions. As an example the solution is made from NaOH, Na₂CO₃ and Al₂O₃. In particular, the synthesis involves the use of industrial Bayer liquor as the source of Al. The resulting products are washed and filtered before drying at 105° C.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,457 to Misra a method is described for producing hydrotalcites in high yield by reacting activated magnesia with an aqueous solution containing aluminate, carbonate, and hydroxyl ions.

The methodology is repeated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,156.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,980 to Kelkar et at al. a process is described for making novel catalysts, catalyst supports, and absorbers comprising synthetic hydrotalcite-like binders. The synthesis of the typical sheet hydrotalcite involves reacting pseudo-boehmite to which acetic acid has been added to peptize the pseudo-boehmite. This is then mixed with magnesia. More importantly, the patent summary states clearly that the invention uses mono carboxylic organic acids such as formic, propionic and isobutyric acid. In this patent the conventional approaches to preparing hydrotalcites are presented.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,861 a process is disclosed for preparing a catalysts for synthesis gas production based on hydrotalcites. The method of preparation is again based, on the co-precipitation of soluble salts by mixing with base, for example, by the addition of a solution of RhCl₃, Mg(NO₃)₂ and Al(NO₃)₃ to a solution of Na₂CO₃ and NaOH.

Also in U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,537 to Bhattacharyya in the preparation of nickel-containing catalysts based on hydrotalcite use is made of the co-precipitation of soluble magnesium and aluminum salts.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,418 to Bhattacharyya a catalyst for removing sulfur oxides or nitrogen oxides from a gaseous mixture is made by calcining an anionic clay, said anionic clay having been prepared by co-precipitation of a solution of Mg(NO₃)₂, Al(NO₃)₃ and Ce(NO₃)₃. The product again is filtered and repeatedly washed with de-ionized water.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,898/WO 9110505 Pinnavaia et al. describe layered double hydroxide sorbents for the removal of sulfur oxide(s) from flue gases, which layered double hydroxide is prepared by reacting a solution of Al and Mg nitrates or chlorides with a solution of NAOH and Na₂CO₃. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,203 /WO 9118670 layered double hydroxides intercalated with polyoxo anions are described, with the parent clay being made by co-precipitation techniques.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,286 in the name of Alcoa a process for the preparation of meixnerite is described. Said meixnerite may be contacted with a dicarboxylate or polycarboxylate anion to form a hydrotalcite-like material.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,581 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,382 to van Broekhoven co-precipitation of soluble salts such as Mg(NO₃)₂ and Al(NO₃)₃ with, and without the incorporation of rare earth salts was used for the preparation of anionic clays as catalyst components and additives. A variety of anions and di- and tri-valent cations are described.

As indicated in the description of the prior art given-above, there are many applications of anionic clays. These include but are not restricted to: catalysts, adsorbents, drilling muds, catalyst supports and carriers, extenders and applications in the medical field. In particular van Broekhoven has described their use in SO_(x) abatement chemistry.

Because of this wide variety of large-scale commercial applications for these materials, new processes utilizing alternative inexpensive raw materials are needed to provide a more cost-effective and environmentally compatible processes for making anionic clays. In particular, from the prior art described above one can conclude that the preparation process can be improved in the following ways: the use of cheaper sources of reactants, processes for easier handling of the reactants, so that there is no need for washing or filtration, eliminating the filtration problems associated with these fine-particled materials, the avoidance of alkali metals (which can be particularly disadvantageous for certain catalytic applications): Further, in drying or calcining the anionic clay prepared by prior art processes gaseous emissions of nitrogen oxides, halogens, sulfur oxides, etc. are encountered which cause environmental pollution problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its broadest embodiment, our invention comprises a process for the preparation of a Magnesium-containing non-Al anionic clay wherein a suspension comprising a trivalent metal source and a divalent metal source is provided and reacted to obtain a magnesium-containing non-Al anionic clay, the magnesium source being an oxide, a hydroxide, a hydroxycarbonate or a carbonate.

Other embodiments of our invention encompass details about compositions, manufacturing steps, etc., all of which are hereinafter disclosed in the following discussion of each of the facets of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Our invention includes processes for producing Mg-containing non-Al anionic clays using relatively inexpensive starting materials in a simple process which involves reacting mixtures with or without stirring in water, optionally under hydrothermal conditions. Such processes can be operated in standard laboratory/industrial equipment. More specifically, there is no need for washing or filtering, and a wide range of ratios of Mg(II)/M(III) in the reaction product is possible.

This invention involves the use of sources of divalent and trivalent metals in aqueous suspensions, which are reacted, optionally under hydrothermal conditions and the reaction mixture results in the direct formation of a Mg-containing non-Al anionic clay. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern (PXRD) suggests that the product is comparable to anionic clays made by other standard methods. The physical and chemical properties of the product are also comparable to those anionic clays made by the other conventional methods. The clay compositions and anionic clay-like materials involving for example carbonate, hydroxide and other anions to be prepared in an economically and environmental-friendly manner. The process may be carried out in a one-step process either in batch or in continuous mode.

This invention involves the preparation of Mg-containing non-Al anionic clays. In particular it describes a process for the preparation of an anionic clay wherein a suspension comprising a trivalent metal source and a Mg source is provided and reacted thermally or hydrothermally to obtain a Mg-containing non-Al anionic clay, the magnesium source being an oxide, a hydroxide, a hydroxycarbonate, or a carbonate.

It was found that Mg-containing non-Al anionic clays are directly obtained from the reaction according to the invention. This is in contrast to the coprecipitation method wherein soluble salts are first precipitated, filtered, washed to remove unwanted ions and then aged either hydrothermally or not. With the process according to the invention the presence of unwanted ions in the product can be avoided, as will be explained below. The magnesium source is an oxide, hydroxide a hydroxy carbonate or carbonate. From this compound no ions beside hydroxide and carbonate end up in the anionic clay, which are the normal building blocks of anionic clays. If for the trivalent metal source a compound is chosen with harmless ions such as nitrate or acetate washing and filtration of the reaction product can be avoided altogether. In fact, it was found that the reaction also takes place when using hydroxides, oxides, hydroxycarbonates or carbonates for both the divalent metal source and the trivalent metal source, in which case also no washing and filtration has to take place.

Since the process disclosed in this patent does not require washing of the product or filtering, there is no filtrate waste or gaseous emissions (e.g. from acid decomposition), making the process particularly environmental-friendly and more suited to the environmental constraints which are increasingly imposed on commercial operations. The product can be spray dried directly to form microspheres or can be extruded, pelletized or beaded to form shaped bodies.

Anionic clays prepared by this method exhibit the well known properties and characteristics (e.g. chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction pattern, FTIR, thermal decomposition characteristics, surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution) usually associated with anionic clays prepared by the customary and previously disclosed methods.

The anionic clay according to the invention has a layered structure corresponding to the general formula

[Mg(II)_(m) ²⁺M(III)_(n) ³⁺(OH)_(2m+2n).]X_(n/z) ^(z−). bH₂O

Wherein m and n have a value such that m/n=l to 10, preferably 1 to 6, and b has a value in the range of from 0 to 10, generally a value of 2 to 6 and often a value of about 4. X may be CO₃ ²⁻, OH⁻or any other anion normally present in the interlayers of anionic clays. It is more preferred that m/n should have a value of 2 to 4, more particularly a value close to 3.

The trivalent metal source

Suitable trivalent metal sources are compounds containing Mn³⁺, Fe³⁺, Co³⁺, Ni³⁺, Cr³⁺, Ga³⁺, B³⁺, trivalent rare earth metal cations such as La³⁺ and Ce³⁺, Ga³⁺ or mixtures of said compounds. Preferably oxides, hydroxides and carbonates of these metals are used, but also nitrate chlorides, sulfates and phosphates can be used. aluminum salts such as aluminum nitrate, aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, amorphous gel aluminas and sodium aluminate.

Divalent metal source

Suitable Mg sources are MgO, Mg(OH)₂, magnesium carbonate, and magnesium bicarbonate. In addition to the Mg source other divalent metal source may be added such as compounds containing Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, and mixtures of said compounds. Preferably oxides, hydroxides and carbonates of these metals are used, but also nitrates chlorides, sulfates and phosphates can be used.

Conditions

As mentioned above, the reaction is conducted under thermal or hydrothermal conditions. Within the context of this description hydrothermal means in the presence of water at at a temperture above 100° C. at increased pressure. Thenmal means at a temperature between ambient and 100° C. Preferably the reaction takes place in water in an autoclave at a temperature above 100° C., i.e. under autogeneous pressure. It is possible to purge the suspension with nitrogen or inert gas if an anionic clay with predominantly hydroxide anions are desired, but in general this is not necessary. Thus, the reaction can be conducted in the presence of CO₂. Said CO₂ may be the CO₂ normally present in air or it may be added to the reaction, for instance, by using a carbonate divalent or trivalent metal source.

Said aqueous suspension may be obtained by either combining slurries of the starting materials or adding divalent metal source to a slurry of trivalent metal source or vice versa. There is no need to wash or filter the product, as unwanted ions (e.g. sodium, ammonium, chloride, sulfate) which are frequently encountered when using other preparation methods, are absent in the product. If desired a preformed anionic clay may be added to the reaction mixture. Said preformed clay may be recycled anionic clay from the reaction mixture or anionic clay made separately by the process according to the invention or any other process.

Because of its simplicity, this process can be carried out in a continuous mode by mixing of a first slurry comprising boehmite and a second slurry comprising magnesium source passing the mixed slurry through a reactor vessel which can operate under hydrothermal conditions. Said first and/or second slurry may be subjected to a treatment prior to mixing the slurries. Said pre-treatment may involve treatment with acid, base treatment, thermal and/or hydrothermal treatment, all optionally in the presence of seeds or combinations thereof.

As mentioned-above, if desired inorganic acids and bases, for example for control of the pH, may be added to the slurry before or during reaction or to the individual reactants before combining them in the slurry. The acid and bases of choice are formic acid, acetic acid, nitric acid and ammonium hydroxide, because these types of acids and bases do not introduce unwanted ions in the reaction mixture.

The most preferred combination of a divalent metal source and a trivalent metal sources is Ga-Mg, because these combinations result in Mg-containing non-Al anionic clays with specific applications in the catalyst field.

If desired, the anionic clay prepared by the process according to the invention may be subjected to ion exchange. Upon ion exchange the interlayer charge-balancing anions are replaced with other anions. Said other anions are the ones commonly present in anionic clays and include pillaring anions such as V₁₀O₂₈ ⁻⁶ , Mo₇O₂₄ ⁶⁻. Said ion exchange can be conducted before drying or after the anionic clay formed in the slurry.

The process of the invention provides wide flexibility in preparing products with a wide range of M(II):M(III) ratios. The M(II):M(III) ratio can vary from 0.1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferred from 2 to 4, and especially preferred to close to 3.

For some applications it is desirable to have additives, both metals and non-metals, such as rare earth metals, Si, P, B, group VI, group VIII, alkaline earth (for instance Ca and Ba) and/or transition metals (for example Mn, Fe, Ti, Zr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mo, Sn), present. Said metals can easily be deposited on the anionic clay. They can also be added either to the divalent metal source or the trivalent metal source or to the slurry during preparation of the anionic clay.

The present invention is illustrated by the following examples that are not to be considered limiting by any means. EXAMPLES Example 1

A slurry was provided of gallium nitrate and MgO with a Mg/Ga ratio of 2.3. The pH of the slurry was adjusted to 10.02 with NH₃OH. The slurry was subjected to hydrothermal treatment in an autoclave at 120° C. for 1 hour. The product was dried at 110° C. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a Mg-Ga anionic clay.

Example 2

A slurry was provided of gallium oxide and MgO with a Mg/Ga ratio of 2.3. The pH of the slurry was adjusted to 10.2 with NH₃OH. The slurry was subjected to thermal treatment at 90° C. for 18 hours. The product was dried at 110° C. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a Mg-Ga anionic clay.

Example 3

A slurry was provided of gallium oxide and MgO with a Mg/Ga ratio of 2.3. The pH of the slurry was adjusted to 10.2 with NH₃OH. The slurry was subjected to thermal treatment at 120° C. for 18 hours. The product was dried at 110° C. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a Mg-Ga anionic clay.

Example 4

A slurry was provided of gallium oxide and MgO with a Mg/Ga ratio of 2.3. The pH of the slurry was adjusted to 10.2 with NH₃OH. The slurry was subjected to hydrothermal treatment at 198° C. for 1 hour. The product was dried at 110° C. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a Mg-Ga anionic clay. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for the preparation of a magnesium-containing non-Al anionic clay wherein said process is a one-step process wherein a suspension comprising a trivalent metal source and at least a magnesium containing source as a divalent metal source is provided and reacted to obtain a magnesium-containing non-Al anionic clay, said magnesium containing source being an oxide, a hydroxide, a hydroxycarbonate or a carbonate of magnesium, said anionic clay having interlayers containing carboxylate anions that are provided to said process.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the trivalent metal source is a compound containing Mn³⁺, Co³⁺, Ni³⁺, Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, Ga³⁺, Sc³⁺, B³⁺ or trivalent rare earth cations.
 3. The process of claim 2 wherein said trivalent metal source may be a compound containing La³⁺ or Ce³⁺ or a mixture thereof.
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein in addition to the magnesium source an additional divalent metal source is added which is a compound containing Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, or mixtures thereof.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein both the divalent metal source and the trivalent metal source are oxides, hydroxides or carbonates.
 6. The process of claim 1 wherein acid or base is present in the suspension.
 7. The process of claim 1 wherein the process is carried out in a continuous mode.
 8. The process of claim 1 wherein additives are present in the suspension.
 9. The process of claim 1 wherein the Mg-containing non-Al anionic clay is subjected to an ion-exchange treatment.
 10. The process of claim 9 wherein the Mg-containing non-Al anionic clay is ion exchanged with pillaring anions.
 11. The process of claim 10 wherein said pillering anions may be V₁₀O₂₈ ⁶⁻ or Mo₇O₂₄ ⁶⁻ or a mixture thereof.
 12. The process of claim 1 wherein additives are deposited on the Mg-containing non-Al anionic clay.
 13. The process of claim 1 wherein said carboxylate anions are provided by conducting said process in the presence of CO₂.
 14. The process of claim 1 wherein said carboxylate anions are provided by said trivalent metal source or divalent metal source being a carbonate. 